Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Coconut Grove Bank, the oldest bank in Dade
County. Gus played football at Miami High until he was sidelined by a broken leg in his junior
year. He graduated from MHS in 1943 and joined the Navy. Gus served in the Navy during
World War II and again during the Korean War. He remained in the Navy ready reserve until 1970,
when he retired with the rank of Commander, USNR. His banking career started in 1946 while attend-
ing the University of Miami. He has come up through the ranks of the bank from teller to president
and chairman of the board.

Gus, a loyal Stingaree, participated in Coaches Tribute in August of 1987, both as an organizer and
sponsor. As one of the founders of the Miami High Football Booster Organization, Gus continues to
be a supporter of Miami High football in every way possible. In his role as a banker, Gus has helped
many Stingarees who were in need of financial assistance and guidance.

*** Herschel Rosenthal, Class of 1944 ***

After graduating from Miami High in 1944, Hershel joined the Navy and served from 1944 to '46. Afterwards
he attended the University of Miami and graduated in 1949 with his BBA in Accounting. He was a partner in
his own CPA firm until 1963. After serving Flagler Federal Savings and Loan as Controller, he was appointed
Treasurer, then Executive Vice President before becoming President. Herschel has contributed both time and
money over the years to Miami Senior High. He has supported the athletic program as an active fundraiser
for the 1987 Coaches Tribute. His three children all graduated from Miami High School. Herschel was a major
participant in organizing the 50th and 55th class reunions of the 1944 graduating class. He has been and
continues to be a loyal fan of the Miami High School Football Hall Of Fame.

2001 FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME PLAYER INDUCTEES

*****

From the 1940s Classes

***** Clive Shrader, Class of 1944 *****

Offensive tailback and defensive safety, Schrader played for four seasons from 1940
to '43. This was at the suggestion of Coach Jesse Yarborough in order for Clive
to mature as a football player. And mature he did. Over this period the Stingarees
had an incredible record of 37-1-1 including two perfect 9-0-0 seasons. Clive played
under three head coaches as Miami High experienced wartime attrition: Yarborough,
Alley and Moore. The Miami team earned City and State Championship titles in 1940,
'41 and '42; and City, State and Southern Regional titles in 1943. Schrader along with
Pete Williams played behind the Miami High legends Arnold Tucker and Bruce Smith in 1942.
That year he saw action against the Savannah Blue Jackets throwing a 30 yard pass into the
end zone for a score and then returning an interception 87 yards for another touchdown.
Shrader was selected Team Captain for the 1943 season, scoring the inaugural touchdown
of the season against Jackson. He also pulled duty as the kicker adding nine more points
to the season total in conversions. An all around athlete he lettered as a sophomore in basket-
ball and three years in baseball. He was also Captain of the baseball team his senior year.
Shrader went on to play football at the University of Miami where he was the 1949 Hurricane's
Captain.

Clive has been married to Janet, a Miami High sweet heart, for 50 years.

***** Donald Matchett, Class of 1948 *****

Don lettered as an offensive and defensive tackle in the 1946 and 1947 seasons for which Miami
High's record was 15-4-0. For both years Miami High earned the City and State Championships.
The 1947 team scored 262 points while allowing only 27, all behind the unsung efforts of its
outstanding linemen. For his part Matchett was selected to the Miami News and Miami Herald All-
City First Teams. He was also a well-rounded student-athlete, being selected to the National
Honor Society his senior year.

***** Darrell Monroe, Class of 1949 *****

An offensive tackle, and defensive guard and middle linebacker, Darrell, played both the 1947
and 1948 seasons. The team's record for those years was 15-3-1, earning City and State Champion-
ships both seasons. Darrell was named to the Herald All-City First Team in 1948. Darrell's most
memorable game was the 28-0 win over the favored 1948 Miami Jackson team before a crowd of
35,000. In that game he was cited opening "gaping holes in the Generals' line to allow the Sting
speedsters to score."

*****

From the 1950s Classes

***** Irwin Swichkow Class of 1952 *****

Irwin was a three-year varsity letterman. He played fullback and linebacker from 1949 to 1951.
In 1951 he witnessed the passed of coaching honors from George Trogdon to Charlie Tate. During
those seasons Miami's record was 21-5-2. That earned the team a City Championship in 1949;
City and State Championships in 1950; City, State & Southern Championships in 1951. Swichkow
was named to the Miami News All City Second Team in 1950; and the Miami News All City First Team
in 1951. His most memorable game was the 1951 20-7 win over favored Edison…"on that night nothing
was going to deny us." It was especially sweet following the first loss ever to a City rival, Miami
Jackson in a close 14-7 game. MHS tied for City Champs with both Jackson and Edison but won the
State title based upon the better record of 9-1-0. Irwin Swichkow was an active student athlete,
elected Class President all three years at Miami High and awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce Trophy
for Best Scholar Athlete.

***** Clyde Balch, Class of 1954 *****

Clyde was a two-year varsity starter at offensive and defensive tackle. He played the 1952 and
1953 seasons for which the team's record was 14-6-0. Miami High regained the City Championship
in 1953 after the 1952 loss to Edison vacated the title. Clyde was cited as a defensive standout
against a fired up Gables team that year. Balch was named to the All State Second Team; the Miami
News All City Second Team and the Miami Herald All City First Team in 1953. His most memorable game
was the 1952 loss to Edison…"We lost but came back to have a good year."

***** Don Griffiths, Class of 1954 *****

Don started at tailback and safety of the varsity squad for his three years at Miami High.
He played from 1951 to 1953 during which time the team's record was 23-7-0. MHS was City, State &
Southern Champions in 1951 and City Champions in 1953. Don played a critical role in the 1953 revenge
on Edison returning an intercepted pass 34 yards to set up the winning touchdown in a 21-16 game.
Don was Team Captain in 1954 and named to the Miami News All City First Team. Playing in every game from
1951 through 1953, he was a 3 year letterman in football and track, All City, All State in track teams,
tied 100yd dash state record at 9.9 - 1954, set school record 100 yd at 9.9 - 1954. Don won the Sigma Nu Trophy
for Best School Athlete 1954, won the Paramount Trophy for Best School Track Athlete of 1954.

***** Dewey Henry Class of 1955 *****

Dewey was a two-year varsity letterman at guard in 1953 and 1954. His team record was 13-6-1 garnering
City Championships both years and a State title in 1954. Coach Tate praised Henry's work on defense in
the 1953 revenge win against Edison. He recovered a critical fumble to salvage a 1954 tie with Gables.
Henry was well mentioned in local newspapers in 1953 and named to the All-City First Team and given
Honorable Mention on the All-State Team in 1954. Dewey Henry went on to become a fire fighter with the
Dade County Fire Department. He was killed in the line of duty in 1994 when a fire caused a structural
collapse at the Dolphin Carpet Warehouse.

***** Joe Infante, Class of 1955 *****

Joe played offensive and defensive end for 1953 and '54 seasons. The Stingaree's record was 13-6-1 during
those years. Miami High was City champions both years and State Champions his senior year. He was team co-
captain in 1954 and named to All-City and All-State Teams. The most memorable play of 1954 occurred against
an undefeated Edison before a crowd of 40,000. Tom Still came around from left end to take a handoff from
quarterback, Earnie Cate. Still stopped and threw a 25 yard aerial to the other end, Joe Infante, 5 yards
beyond the last Edison defender. Infante took the ball the remaining 13 yards into the end zone for six points,
the only score of the game. Moved to linebacker for this all-important game, Joe was instrumental in holding
Edison's leading rusher, Olin Green, to only 28 yards. In the 1954 Gables game he tackled a back who broke loose
for a sure touchdown to preserve a 14-14 tie. Joe was also a standout in track, helping win the 880-yard relay
at the 1954 State Championship meet. He was a popular and intelligent student as well; a member of National Honor
Society his Junior and Senior years and elected Senior Class President over classmate Bob Graham, not to mention
Honoria Honey and one of Little Women's Ten Neat Guys. As a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Joe
was awarded the Air Medal in 1966 for over 25 aerial flights over hostile territory in Viet Nam. Joe Infante died
in 1999 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

***** Paul Borrego, Class of 1956 *****

Paul played middle line backer on the MHS State Championship team of 1955. His 1954 team were City Champions.
The combined record of his two varsity letter years was 16-3-1. Of Berrego, Coach Charlie Tate said "He played
like he felt he was in charge." He was chosen First Team All-City by the Miami Herald and Miami News in 1955.
His most memorable games was the 33-0 win over Robert E. Lee in the quest for the '55 state title and for which
he was honorary captain. Paul met his wife, Pat, at Miami High. In fact the popular couple were featured in a
series of articles on "going steady" published in the Miami Herald.

***** Tony Toledo, Class of 1957 *****

Tony was a Stingaree defensive linebacker for the 1955 and '56 seasons. He witnessed another historic change of
great Miami High head coaches as Otis Mooney took over from Charlie Tate in 1956. The Sting's were City and State
Champions both years with an overall record of 16-3-1. Toledo was named to the Miami Herald and Miami News
All-City First Teams in 1956. His most memorable game was in 1956 against Coral Gables. Miami was up 12-0 when
Gables blocked Toney's punt in the third quarter, then went on to score and win 20-13. It was the first loss by a
MHS team to Gables. Edison subsequently beat Gables and the Stings beat Edison. That gave Miami High City Champion-
ship and paved the way to the post-season Kiwanis Game against Gloucester, Massachusetts. Tony salvaged a 10-10 tie
in that game with a spectacular end zone interception late in the fourth quarter. Tony was perhaps as great a
threat on the diamond, starting three years as an outfielder. He led the city with a batting average of 425 and
was named to the Baseball All-City First Team in 1957. Another intelligent student athlete, he was member of the
National Honor Society his Junior and Senior years.

*****

From the 1960s Classes

***** Jerry Wilson, Class of 1960 *****

Jerry started as quarterback, halfback & defensive safety during the 1958 and '59 seasons. The Stingarees
were City and State Champions in 1958. Their overall record for Jerry's two seasons was
16-2-2. His senior year MHS outscored opponents 245-47, holding six teams scoreless. Jerry accounted for
54 points himself. Wilson was Co-captain and named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First Teams
in 1959. His most memorable games were the 1959 Coral Gable game where the Stings handed Nick Kotys the most
lop-sided defeat he ever experienced as a coach. (40-7); and the 1959 loss to Edison for the State
Championship. Wilson was a triple-threat athlete. He also lettered three years in basketball and track.
He won the Most Valuable Sophomore Athlete Trophy in 1958, the Most Valuable Junior Athlete Trophy in 1959,
and the Sigma Nu Trophy in 1960. He set the school record for the long jump and was named to the Track
All-City First Team in 1960.

***** Bill Eades, Class of 1964 *****

Bill was a three-year varsity letterman at defensive tackle from 1961 to '63. Miami High was State Champions
in 1961 and National Champions in 1962. The record over those three years was 21-4-2. Bill started his football
career by year by calling Coach Otis Mooney on the phone long distance from South Carolina to ask when the
Varsity team started practice. He made the audacious proclamation that he intended on playing varsity football
his sophomore year. Indeed Eades did move up to varsity his first year as a kick-off specialist, one of the
first to consistently kick the ball out of the end zone. At 170 pounds the little bulldog started at defensive
tackle in 1962 and '63. Bill also witnessed a change of command as Harold Sawyer took over head coaching duties
from Otis Mooney in 1963. In 1963 Bill was Team Co-Captain and named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City
First Teams. Bill also lettered three years in track throwing the shot put and discus.

***** Tom Abdelnour, Class of 1965 *****

A three-year varsity linebacker from 1962 to '64, Tom moved up from B-squad in November of A three-year varsity
linebacker from 1962 to '64, Tom moved up from B-squad in November of his sophomore year. The Sting's record for
those years was 18-6-1. They were State Champions in 1962 and Gold Coast Conference Champions in 1964. His senior
year he was named MHS's Outstanding Defensive Player, to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First Teams,
the All Good Coast Conference First Team, and given All-State Honorable Mention. Abdelnour played in the 1965
Florida North-South High School All-Star Game and was Co-Captain along with Larry Rentz. Tom also ran track for
three years. Considered too small to play major college ball Tom was a walk-on at the University of Florida. After
showing them how they hit at MHS he was offered a full scholarship. He lettered 1967 through 1969, and as Captain
his senior year he led the team to a Gator Bowl Championship. Leading the team in tackles in both 1968 and '69,
he was given Honorable Mention on the All-SEC team in 1969.

***** Charles Arocha, Class of 1966 *****

Charles lettered three years as a defensive back from 1963 to '65. The teams record during that time was 25-6-0.
In 1965 the Stingarees had a perfect 12-0-0 season and won City, State and National Championships. Charles most
memorable game was in 1965 against Coral Gables where his 99-yard punt return helped cinch a 17-0 victory. For his
efforts Arocha made the All City Second Team in 1964, and the All City First Team and All Southern First Team in 1965.
Charles also lettered three years in baseball as a second baseman for which he was named to the Miami Herald and Miami
News All-City Baseball First Team. At Miami High he received the Sophomore Athlete of the Year Award in 1964, and the
Sigma Nu Award in 1965. In 1966 he was Runner-up for Dade County Most Valuable Athlete. Arocha was well-rounded
student athlete. He was an active in Interact elected Secretary, a Boy's State Delegate, and Silver Knight Nominee
in Athletics, not to mention Pep Doll.

***** Richard Fortier, Class 1966 *****

Richard played defensive end during the 1964 and '65 seasons. The teams record during that time was
20-3-0. Of course the 1965 Stingarees had a perfect 12-0-0 season and won City, State and National
Championships. Fortier was named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First Teams. He was cited
for dynamite defensive play in holding a powerful Jackson team to only 46 yards rushing. His most
memorable game was shutting down highly rated Coral Gables offense before 45,000 fans in 1965 to cinch
the State Championship. Richard also played only 46 yards rushing. His most memorable game was shutting
down highly rated Coral Gables offense before 45,000 fans in 1965 to cinch the State Championship. Richard
also played basketball in 1964 and competed in field events in 1965.

***** Jack Lauramore, Class of 1966 *****

Jack lettered 2 years on the varsity squad in 1964 and '65 as a split end. The team's record was 20-3-0.
Lauramore was a big contributor to that 1965 perfect 12-0-0 season that brought Miami High the City, State
and National Championships. For his part Jack was named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First
Teams. Jack scored the first touch down of the 1965 season with a pass reception against Southwest. His
most memorable game was the 14 to 7 victory over Coral Gables in 1965, the previous year's National Champ.
"The hype leading up to the game was tremendous…at game time emotions were high and the crowd was huge
(45,000)…this was a feeling I never felt before." Jack scored in that crucial game with a 57 yard pass
reception. Miami High named Lauramore, its Most Improved Lineman of 1965.

***** George Mekras, Class of 1966 *****

George lettered 2 years on the varsity squad in 1964 and '65 as a defensive safety. The teams record during
that time was 20-3-0. 1965 was the year of the perfect 12-0-0 season and the City, State and National
Championships. Mekras was named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First Teams and given All-State
Honorable Mention. His most memorable game was the victory over undefeated Gables in 1965. His interception
late in the third quarter stopped the Cavaliers last threatening drive. George was a champion in the halls
and classrooms of Miami High as well as the gridiron. He was Student Council President, Junior Class President
and as a Florida Boys State delegate he was elected Secretary of State. He won the Kappa Sigma Trophy for Out-
standing Sophomore, Harvard Book Award for Outstanding Junior, Elks Leadership Award, and Soroptomist Award placing
third overall in the county. He was a Silver Knight Nominee in General Scholarship, and Class Valedictorian.
He was given a scholarship to Harvard University.

***** Joe LaPointe, Class of 1967 *****

Joe started at defensive end in the 1965 and '66 seasons. The team record was 19-2-1, which include a 12-0-0
perfect season in 1965. That year the Stingarees were City, State and National Champions. Joe proved himself
early in the 1965 season blocking a Columbus punt in the end zone for two points on the march to the National
Championship. His most memorable game was the 44 to 12 victory against Melbourne in the Orange Bowl for the 1965
State Title. In 1966 LaPointe was Team Co-captain and was named to the Miami Herald and Miami News All-City First
Teams, the All-State First Team and All-Southern First Team. Miami High presented Joe with the Outstanding
Defensive Player Award.

*****

From the 1970s Classes

***** Dan Givens, Class of 1972 *****

Dan Givens played defensive linebacker in the 1970 and 1971 seasons. He was defensive captain in 1971.
The team's record for those seasons was 9-10-1. Coach Ralph Davis called Dan "the Best Little Line
Backer at Miami High." Ralph Ortega reported while reviewing game films arch rival Gables Coach Nick
Kotys, stopped the projector and pointed out the play of "this little linebacker from that school".
"Thank goodness he only weighs 140 lbs. or we might have to forfeit the game." For his efforts in 1971,
Dan was named All City Honorable Mention, made a member of the GMAC All-Conference Team in and presented
the Joe Caldwell Trophy. Dan was an all around athlete and student. He lettered two years in wrestling
and one in soccer and gymnastics. Scholastic honors included Harvard Book Award, Elks Leadership Award,
Boy's State Delegate. President of Interact, and Silver Knight Nominee in Athletics. Dan received a full
football scholarship Wabash College and went on to marry Debbie, his Miami High sweetheart.